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RAOC Gazette - page 39

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Material type Journals
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Full title RAOC Gazette
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Publication date 1983
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Early date 1983
Late date 1983
Transcription that they never reached the Falklands, but spent all their
tour on Ascension Isle.
On their summer vacation at the moment are Lance Corporal
Jock Strang and Private Dave Pierce. Have a good six months
lads and we will see you on your return.
Two of our members have recently taken the plunge into
the matrimonial waters. We would like to extend our con-
gratulations and best wishes for the future to Corporal Derek
Rothwell and Lance Corporal Mick Decoteau and their spouses.
Earlier in the year Brigadier Skinner dropped into the
unit to present the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
to Sergeant John Mortimer, our Master Butcher. Needless to say
a hearty feast was laid on for the occasion.
On the sporting front Lieutenant Alan Paramore (Con-
gratulations on the second pip) and Sergeant Noel Bolton have
entered the BAMA Championships. The theory, so I'm told, is
that Sergeant Noel Bolton tells Lieutenant Alan Paramore
where to go and he does! In their first rally they finished a credit-
able third—keep it up.
The football team has scored a laudable victory over 63
Ordnance Company in the CCRAOC Cup. With stand-in goal-
keeper Private Scouse Ellis playing a blinder (blinkers removed
at half-time), it was left to Corporal Ian Mellor and Lance
Corporal Jim Wilson to score the goals to put us through to
the next round.
It was a double celebration for Corporal Mellor, as the
previous evening his wife had given birth to another daughter—
only one more required for his hat-trick.
ASU
WE welcome Captain Peter Sheridan who has recently arrived
from the UK as our new 2IC and OIC of the Detmold/Her-
ford Detachment and Captain and Mrs Brian Haycock to
the Minden Detachment from Dortmund.
11 ARMOURED
BRIGADE
PRIVATE TONY EVANS has been ousted from the top of
the squash ladder after sixteen weeks. Due he says to diplomacy
on his part and the lack of good competition. However, we all
know that his good fortune on the initial draw for seeding has
finally caught up with him.
Our new face in Brigade Headquarters this month belongs
to Private Mick Nolan who joins us from the Petroleum Depot.
We hope he enjoys his tour in Minden. Apparently during his
first exercise he managed to get more sleep than his predecessor
ever did, and Private (now Lance Corporal) Stan Cooke takes
some beating.
We offer our congratulations this month to Major and Mrs
Mangnall on the birth of their son. Although Major Mangnall
is not RAOC we feel that past serving members of the Brigade
will be delighted to hear the good news.
STORES PLATOON 4 ARMOURED
WORKSHOP
THE Platoon is now back on an even keel after a hectic build
up to the ARU. The MRG Alpha element had a long exhaust-
ing day participating in the military skills competition.
Meanwhile down the road at MRG Bravo location W02
Neal Corless and his merry band of men were working in an
NBC environment. Staff Sergeant Chris Warne with his Heli
Handlers were busy on the LP receiving E and MA's and
despatching casualties. While Sergeant Chris Davies in the
PC and A was manufacturing his own lethal deterrent, mainly
due to a large intake of ice cold Herfy. The Brigade Com-
mander, Brigadier Ansell, was taken through the procedure of
selecting stores from a four ton Binner leaving Q Neal Corless
smiling secretly to himself at the Brig's parting quip of " Very
convenient Q and it's correct."
Postings this month Private Dransfield to 3 BAD and we
welcome Private Thompson from the Depot.
5 Ordnance Battalion
51 ORDNANCE
COMPANY
HELLO MUM, Hello Dad,—How are you? I am fine. The
weather is improving Mum which is just as well because we're
all working hard preparing for an exercise. We're getting three
TA Platoons from UK—so it should be a good exercise Dad.
Staff Sergeant Jeff Vincent is running an Eager Beaver course
in a local training area for the next two weeks. I'll tell you
some of the stories after he's been posted.
We recently ran the Battalion Skill-at-Arms meeting on the
local German Army ranges and we won nearly everything Dad.
Corporal Bob McDonald was the best Battalion shot and CSM
Tom Flowers' team which included Corporal McDonald, Sergeant
Ivan Arathoon, Lance Corporal Nick Avery and Sergeant Archie
Stewart won the prize for the best team. The CSM though
had to buy the beers because he got the lowest SMG score in
his team—but I suppose his score was still better than the rest
of us managed! Even the officers can shoot you know Dad
because Lieutenant Redwood came runner up in the SLR
shoot. 52 and 53 Company's didn't like us winning though
so 53 Company beat us nine one at football two days later.
Private Cavanagh has just discovered long distance run-
ning. He's just done thirty five kilometres in two and a half
hours: Corporal Frank Wenman our elderly cook did the
course in just over three hours. Corporal Larry Bums and
Private Martin White also ran—well almost. We've got a
strong team entered for the Bremen Marathon dad—even the
OC has been seen running into work in the mornings from his
quarter in Buckeburg—it must be catching!
Our CSM is off to the Falklands soon as RSM. That's
good news for him but in the meantime he's having problems
trying to find men to do duties. I've got to go now mum—I'll
write again next month.
Your loving son (as ever) Eddie.
Welcome to: Privates Lake and King.
Farewell to: Lance Corporal Fleming.
52 ORDNANCE
COMPANY
SADLY we commence this months notes by reporting the un-
fortunate death of Private P. W. (Errol) McKee as & result of an
MHE accident. We extend our condolences to his family on
their sad loss.
This month 52 Company bade a fond farewell to the Com-
mander Supply 1 (BR) Corps, Brigadier John Skinner. An early
arrival had the Company in panic but Raphael, the company
mascot, had the situation in hand and presented the Brigadier
with coffee giving the OC, Major Terry Rapple, time to change
from his running kit into something slightly more military.
A superb curry lunch was provided by Sergeant Doug
Pinkney of the ACC after which the Brigadier made a touch-
ing speech recalling many happy times spent at Pombsen. Mrs
Skinner arrived shortly after lunch, accompanied by Mrs Daphne
Ford, and was introduced to 52's favourite pastime—dominoes.
After some expert domino coaching by the shark himself, W02
Roger Crow, Mrs Skinner planted a walnut tree at the Niehiem
site to commemorate Brigadier Skinners tour with 1 (BR) Corps.
Later Brigadier Skinner visited the signalling station on Pombsen
hill where he was given a guided tour, and then drinks with the
local Fire Brigade followed in the log cabin, the result of many
hours hard work by the firemen.
As the finale to his official farewell visit Brigadier Skinner
bravely faced the bitter north-easterly wind and ceremoniously
took the salute sat precariously on top of the local fire engine.
Later in the month some members of Lance Platoon went on
a watermanship course en route to Benbecula. After numerous
delays the small contingent departed from Pombsen destined for
the Hebrides armed to the teeth with Lance MMA's and seasick-
ness tablets.
Captain Andy Law assures me his medicinal aids were not
required and a reliable source informed me that he missed at
least one meal as a result of the rough passage. Also Private
— 32 —
Book number R0406